Claddagh Rings Are Important Items in Any Jewelry Collection
- May 29th, 2011
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Gary Mix, a network specialist and Wedding Photographer in Gainesville Florida
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Collecting jewelry can be a productive way to spend your free time and money. At the same time, if you have good taste, your collection can appreciate in value beyond your imagination as the years go by. Much depends on how well you picked the items you chose to include in the collection and on how affordably you purchased them. Among the antique jewelry items that are good buys are Claddagh rings which were crafted hundreds of years ago.
Who crafted the first Claddagh ring
The origin of the Claddagh ring is veiled in myth and anecdote. There are those who claim that it was first crafted by Richard Joyce, an Irishman from Galway, a city not far from Claddagh beach. Another tale tells of the ring having been dropped by an eagle into the lap of a wealthy lady who was fond of doing humanitarian services for her community. Both stories are placed during the ascent of William III to the throne of England during the latter part of the 17th century. As to why the ring bears the name of the little fishing community beside Galway city is another secret that remains unrevealed until today. A whimsical explanation for the name is recounted as a misreading of labels on a British newspaper published in the 1850’s. A picture of the ring was side by side with an editorial on Claddagh, the label on the editorial was conveniently mistaken for the name of the ring (then referred to as the ‘Galway’ ring) and from that day became the name by which the ring has become known.
Whatever the truth may be, the fact remains that the oldest and most expensive antique Claddagh rings are engraved with the RJ.
What is the appearance of a Claddagh ring
Between and 17th century and today, hundreds of Claddagh rings have been crafted due to the immense popularity of its symbolism for people seeking enduring love. It was widely used as wedding rings and handed down from one generation to the next. Many families still have their heirloom pieces from two generations back. Not a few of them have been lost but many still manage to pop up in flea markets and alley shops. Collectors who spot Claddagh rings with the initials RJ engraved are lucky to be looking at one of the original rings.
How to tell a Claddagh ring when you see one
The ring bears the image of a heart topped by a crown or a tiara. Both are held as an offering by a pair of hands. Love and loyalty are expressed in the act of offering the heart and the crown to the beloved one or dear friend. The act of giving the gift itself is taken to symbolize friendship. When friendship, love and loyalty come together, permanent and lasting relationships are established.
Plainly, the Claddagh ring belongs in the best antique jewelry collections because of its history and its meaning.
Doc. No:1206-LM-ULT5-dc11
With a keen interest in Celtic jewelry, Ciara O’Brien researches and writes about Claddagh ring and all other types of Celtic jewelry. Click here for more information about Celtic engagement rings and here for Irish weddin bands
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